Bulletin News

Worship Nursery – Attention parents of our youngest members, we are actively searching to hire staff for the worship nursery.  Until a new staff is in place, please know that you are welcome to use the Nursery or the Cry Room with your children.  If they play with any of the toys, please leave them on one of the tables so that we may sanitize them for the next week.  Thanks for your understanding.

Yams for Food Bank – We need to provide 600 cans of yams to the Northern Lehigh Food Bank!!  As the holidays approach, we have been requested to help fill food baskets for the families at the food bank.  We will need 300 cans of yams for Thanksgiving and 300 cans for Christmas.  Each church in the Northern Lehigh area that donates to the food bank will have a good item designated to donate.  Ours is yams.  You can help by purchasing canned yams and bringing them to the grocery cart in the Gathering Space.  If you are unable to shop and carry the yams, we have volunteers to shop if you prefer to make a donation.  Blessings as you remember the families in need.

All Saint’s donations – On Sunday, November 6^th we will celebrate All Saints’ Sunday.  If you would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one, please write your dedication on a pew envelope and include your donation.  We will print all dedications in the worship bulletin that Sunday.  All donations will be added to our Living Legacy Memorial Fund.  The interest from this fund is used to promote the ministries of our congregation.

Mark your Calendar – Work day on October 22, 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon.  Watch future bulletins for more information.

Support ULC Youth –You’re invited to an Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast on Saturday, November 5 from 8:00–10:00 AM.  The cost is $7.00 per person and $5.00 per child under 10.  Tickets will be available for purchase from one of the group leaders, the church office or the Gathering Space (on October 16 & 23).  Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event.  Space is limited so please purchase your tickets in advance if possible.  Applebee’s is located at 1510 Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown.

Rejoicing Spirits Worship Services are held on the 4^th Sunday of the month at 2:30 PM here at ULC.  The informal service is directed to people with young children, developmental disabilities, etc. We’ve designed an adapted worship service to engage these individuals, along with their caregivers, families and other supportive members in the community.  We have created an environment that is accepting and welcoming to all children of God.  The service includes lots of music and joyous singing; brief, meaningful messages; love-filled community; fellowship opportunities; light refreshments.  Interaction and free expression are welcome during Rejoicing Spirits worship services.  We have a “no shushing” policy.  Everyone in the community is welcome and all faiths are welcome.  The next worship service will be on October 23.

News from our Christian Stewardship Committee – Our 2012 campaign, “Believe in Tomorrow” will run October 23 – November 13 featuring Inspiration Sunday, Gratitude Sunday, Consecration Sunday and Celebration Sunday.  Come to worship and watch your mailboxes for more details….

November Book Club – Join us Sunday, November 20 @ 9:15 AM to discuss Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.  An unforgettable sweeping novel that follows twin brothers born to a young nun, who dies during childbirth, and a brash English doctor in 1954.  The story moves from India to Ethiopia to an inner-city hospital in New York City following their life over decades and generations.

God’s Walk With Us – Has God touched your life in a special way?  Would you like to share it with the congregation?  Then G.O.D.’s Team is looking for you.  If you would like to share your story, about how God affected your life please contact the church office, or a member of G.O.D.’s Team.

Who are you sitting next to me in the pew? Have you greeted the person and become acquainted with them?  Have you struck up a friendly conversation before and /or after worship?  Have you told them you missed them when their seat was empty last week?  We share more than space and time together—We share Christ!

2011 Advent Devotional Guide by UELC Members – Bring joy and encouragement to members of our church family, by writing a short (200-250 word) personal devotion for this year’s Advent Devotional Guide.  (The completed guide will be distributed on the First Sunday of Advent.)  See Helene Kuoni this morning in the Gathering Space for available scripture passages, guidelines, and sample devotions.  Sign up today if you can!  Or, if you prefer, contact Helene for more information at HelloHeleneK@hotmail.com or 610-398-1892.  Don’t miss a great opportunity to bless others by sharing from God’s Word and from your life experiences.

It is Fall Basket Party time again.  On Friday, October 28^th from 5:00-8:00 PM and Saturday, October 29^th from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM ULC will be holding their 4^th Annual Fall Basket Party.  Tickets can be purchased in the church office  during office hours or on Sunday October 16^th and 23^rd after both worship services.  Ticket prices are: in advance-5 sheets for $20; at the door $5.00 per sheet.  There are 26 chances per sheet.  Get a free sheet of tickets for every grocery bag full of non-perishable food items you bring the Basket Party.  Donated items will go to the Northern Lehigh Food Bank.  Come either day in your Halloween costume and get a chance to win the “Halloween Basket of Goodies”.  We are looking for bakers to make desserts for the bake sale or to cut/portion to individual servings.  You can bring your baskets to church on a Sunday or drop them off in the church office.  The Kitchen will be open Friday night for supper and all day Saturday.  Homemade soups, BBQ’s, sausage sandwich, hot dogs and baked beans are just some of the items that will be offered.  We need a lot of help during this event.  There are sign-up sheets on the hallway bulletin board for volunteers if you would like to help. We will be taking orders ahead of time for quarts of soup: Vegetable Beef, Ham and Bean, Turkey Corn, and Cream of Potato.  They are $5.50 a quart.  Contact the office, write your order on a yellow pew card or email Terry Hoffman at thehoffmanscook@yahoo.com with your order.  A big “Thank You” to the congregation for their support in this event.  It just gets better every year due in part to the generosity and support from our church family.  Hope to see you there.

Union Lutheran looking for individuals to be a Head Usher for the 8:00 AM or 10:45 AM Sunday service.  This is a once per month commitment to organize and lead the ushers and assistants for the morning service.  Anyone interested please contact Bob Banzhoff, 610-799-4880 or the church office.

Important!! If you or a member of your family is in the hospital, please let us know.  In order for the pastor to provide the best possible care, if you are admitted to Lehigh Valley Hospital, please personally contact the pastor or the church office so that the pastor can visit you or your family member.  At St Luke’s Hospital, admitted patients will be asked if they belong to a faith community and if they wish to have their clergy notified of their hospital admission.  The pastoral care chaplains will make contact with the appropriate clergy member when requested.

Comedy Show – Keep the date of Saturday, November 12^th, for a stand-up comedy show by White Rose Productions and dinner provided by our very own Fellowship Committee.  The night will start off with horsdoevres followed by a buffet dinner of ham served with raisin pineapple sauce, mashed potatoes, vegetable medley, pasta and green salad, rolls & butter followed by dessert and beverages.  Doors open at 6:00 PM; dinner at 6:30 PM; show at 7:30 PM. Cost for the dinner and show is only $20.00 per person.  Don’t miss out on an evening of fun!  Tickets are now on sale in the church office.

MOPS group needs your help. They are looking for someone to provide child care for pre-school age children while their mothers are attending MOPS meetings.  They meet the 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of the month from 9:00-11:30 AM here at ULC.  You would only have to help according to your availability.  For more information, or to volunteer, please contact the church office.

KFC Fall Session II “Celebrate the Holidays” begins Tuesday, November 1^st.  As November approaches and the air turns crisp and cold, our thoughts turn towards the holiday season.  Come celebrate with us as we learn to be thankful for God’s many blessings!  During our time together we will discover the true meaning of Thanksgiving and learn about the Season of Advent as we prepare for our Savior’s birth.  We have lots of yummy snacks, fun crafts and awesome songs to share…so please join us!  Preschool “Mom and Me” (10-11 AM): Tuesday class: Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29, Dec. 6 and 13 Wednesday class: Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30, Dec. 7 and 14 Elementary Class (K- 4th grade) meets 4-5 PM: Wednesdays: Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30, Dec. 7 and 14

Help!  Help!  Help! We are looking for volunteers to help deliver tapes of our Sunday worship services.  The time commitment can be just 1 time, or up to weekly, to deliver tapes to a shut-in in the Schnecksville area.  Please call the church office at 610-767-6884 to volunteer to share your time.

Name Our Preschool Contest – We need your help!!.  Union Lutheran Preschool will be opening our doors in September 2012 and we need a name!  We will be a Christian preschool teaching academics and arts with a Bible based curriculum.  So… get out those Bibles and think of a catchy name for us!  The format will be: (your suggested name) Preschool of Union Lutheran Church.  We will be looking forward to all of the wonderful ideas from both adults and children!  Please submit all ideas via email to the church office by November 6.  The Education Committee will be selecting the name at our November meeting.  The winner will be announced to the congregation and featured in the initial publication of our preschool newsletter.

Relay for Life Dance featuring Crazy Heart to be held at the Schnecksville Fire Co. Pavilion on Saturday, November 5.  The doors open at 5:00 PM and the band plays from 7:00–10:00 PM.  There will be raffles, a Chinese Auction & door prizes.  Tickets (adults $20 or 2/$35, under 16 $10 & under 5 are free) include mixers, soda & snacks.  Food is available for purchase.  All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.  For tickets/info: contact Bonita or Al @ 610-799-0871.

Hymn Festival – Music at Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, in cooperation with other area Lutheran churches and their musicians, presents a festival of hymns, devotional readings and prayers Today @ 4:00 PM.  The festival is titled “Through the Church the Song Goes On.”  It celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM).  ALCM is a service and professional organization of musicians, clergy and others interested in music in the Lutheran context.  A festival choir will lead the singing.  Everyone is welcome to attend the 2:00 PM rehearsal on the 23^rd and then to sing for the Festival.  Leading the festival will be Karl DeBoeser, choir director; and keyboardists Janice Butz, Jacquelyn Kuba and Michael Krentz.  Admission is free.  An offering will be taken to support scholarships for students and others to attend conferences of ALCM.

Nursery Caregiver Positions Open at Union Lutheran – Union Lutheran is looking for a pool of paid Nursery Caregivers to provide childcare during the late worship service from Rally Day through Pentecost.  The Nursery Caregivers will work in a team of two from 10:30 AM until approximately noon.  Special services or occasions may require additional scheduling of the nursery.  Applicants must be at least 18 years old.  Some key qualifications/skills include: cleared criminal history and child-abuse background check, understanding of basic first aid, current certification in child infancy CPR or willing to obtain certification.  Twenty dollars ($20) per week will be given to each attending Nursery Caregiver. The Nursery Caregiver job description is posted in the Gathering Space hallway or can be requested from the church office.  If interested, please submit a resume to the church office as soon as possible. 

Volunteers needed to help collate newsletter. It is usually done at 9:00 AM on the last Monday of the month.  You do not have to be available every month but can work according to your own schedule.  For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Tom Crowe at 484-201-1952.

Stephen Ministry Team will meet Tues. Oct. 18, from 7:00PM to 9:30PM, in the Chapel.  “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  Proverbs 12:18.  Preclass reading in the Stephen Ministry Manual: T-9 Confidentiality- pp.163-184.  Also, Introduction through Chapter 3 in When and How to Use Mental Health Resources.  We want to let the Congregation know we have perfect attendance for our team.  All the Modules are important but special emphasis is placed on Confidentiality.  We are very proud of all the hard work and time everyone has put in this project.  We will be half way through this training period when we complete this Module.  We ask the congregation to keep us in your prayers.

Today is Harvest Home. In place of ushers receiving the offering, everyone is asked to come forward with their offerings (regular and Harvest Home) and gifts of canned goods, boxed food, and/or fresh produce for the Food Bank.  Please place the items in the designated areas.

Blessing of the Animals – Sunday, October 2^nd at 4:00 PM rain or shine. This annual event is appreciated and enjoyed by pets and their owners alike.

Worship Nursery – Attention parents of our youngest members, we are actively searching to hire staff for the worship nursery.  Until a new staff is in place, please know that you are welcome to use the Nursery or the Cry Room with your children.  If they play with any of the toys, please leave them on one of the tables so that we may sanitize them for the next week.  Thanks for your understanding.

The WELCA Women’s Café will be holding a “Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner” on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Family Life Center.  The Dinner includes pork and sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, applesauce, rolls and butter, cake and beverages.  Tickets will be on sale in the hallway on Sundays, September 11^th and 18^th or you can purchase them in the church office.  Price of the Dinner is $8.00 if purchased in advance, $9.00 at the door.  Children ages 3-7 are $4.00, 2 and under are free.  A Fairtrade display and sale will also be available.  Proceeds benefit the WELCA Women’s Café Ministries at Union Lutheran Church.  We look forward to serving you a great dinner.  Hope you can join us.

Stephen Ministry Trainees will meet in the Chapel, Tuesday, September 20 from 7:00 – 9:30 PM.  They will be studying Module T-3, The Art of Listening.  Preclass reading – Stephen Ministry Training Manual  pp 39-58.  Also, Chapters 8-13 in Christian Care Giving-A Way of Life. If anyone has any questions about Stephen Ministry, the leaders will be glad to answer them.

Knotters Needed – Do you know how to tie a square knot?  If not, we will teach you.  Our quilters are knotting quilts and they need your help.  They meet every Wednesday in Room 103-104 from 9:30 – 2:30 PM.  Quilts are donated to Camp Noah.  Come join the fun!

Bulletin Sponsors – Each week, we ask people to sponsor bulletins for the worship services.  Sign-up lists are on the media center bulletin board.  Please sign up on that list or call Cheryll Kosar (610-261-0242).  The cost for worship bulletins is $20.00 and children’s bulletins is $3.00.  Your sponsorship may be paid when you sign up or paid on the Sunday you are sponsoring.  Please use a pew envelope and indicate “bulletin sponsor”.

Church Book Club – The current selection is Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua. We hope you can join us on today @ 9:15 AM to discuss this book!

If anyone wants to make a contribution a fund has been established in Matthew’s memory (the son of Judy and Herb Gifford), reflecting his passion and interests.  Donations can be sent to: The Community Foundation of Mendocino County; Matthew Coleman Fund for Environmental Education & Conservation, 290 S. State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482.

Weekly Bible Study – Join Pastor Moore on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 – 11:00 AM as we study/discuss the Gospel lesson for the upcoming Sunday.  You may come every week or as your schedule allows.  We will meet in Room 201.

Nursery Caregiver Positions Open at Union Lutheran – Union Lutheran is looking for a pool of paid Nursery Caregivers to provide childcare during the late worship service from Rally Day through Pentecost.  The Nursery Caregivers will work in a team of two from 10:30 AM until approximately noon.  Special services or occasions may require additional scheduling of the nursery.  Applicants must be at least 18 years old.  Some key qualifications/skills include: cleared criminal history and child-abuse background check, understanding of basic first aid, current certification in child infancy CPR or willing to obtain certification.  Twenty dollars ($20) per week will be given to each attending Nursery Caregiver. The Nursery Caregiver job description is posted in the Gathering Space hallway or can be requested from the church office.  If interested, please submit a resume to the church office as soon as possible. 

CARE FAIR – Are you facing difficult decisions about long-term care, either for yourself or your loved ones?  Would you be interested in resources to help you make good decisions?  Then you are invited to the Northern Lehigh Valley Mission District CARE FAIR on Saturday, September 24^th from 10 AM to 2 PM at Faith Lutheran Church, 2255 MacArthur Rd, Whitehall.  Visit with area specialists on nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare providers and equipment suppliers.  Walk through or join a panel discussion.  Contact Stephanie Druckenmiller, NLVMD Chairperson with questions:  610-837-2457 or sdrucke@gmail.com.

Important!! If you or a member of your family is in the hospital, please let us know.  In order for the pastor to provide the best possible care, if you are admitted to Lehigh Valley Hospital, please personally contact the pastor or the church office so that the pastor can visit you or your family member.  At St Luke’s Hospital, admitted patients will be asked if they belong to a faith community and if they wish to have their clergy notified of their hospital admission.  The pastoral care chaplains will make contact with the appropriate clergy member when requested.